Cleveland (0-1) at NY Jets (0-1)
When: Monday, September 16, 2019
Where: MetLife Stadium,
East Rutherford, NJ
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Cleveland -2.5/46.5
The Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, who played in the very first Monday Night Football telecast back in 1970, will try to avoid an 0-2 start when they meet in Week 2 at MetLife Stadium. The biggest story line coming into this contest was probably the return of Odell Beckham, Jr. to New York, but news came down earlier in the week that Jets quarterback Sam Darnold has mononucleosis and will be sidelined indefinitely. The odds for this matchup went from Browns -2.5 to now 6.5-point favorites with veteran Trevor Siemian stepping in for Darnold. Of course, Beckham still wants to make everything about him and told reporters that Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams teaches his players to deliver “cheap shots” and “dirty hits.” Beckham and the Browns should be more worried about how they played last week after getting embarrassed 43-13 at home to Tennessee. The Jets really need a bounce-back game themselves after blowing a 16-point lead in a 17-16 setback to the Buffalo Bills. The Jets visited Cleveland on a Thursday night in Week 3 last year and the Browns won 21-17, snapping a 19-game losing streak. Baker Mayfield came off the bench to replace Tyrod Taylor down 14-0 and led four scoring drives.
Bettors flocked to the sportsbook windows all summer long to lay their money down on the Browns to win not only the AFC North, but the Super Bowl as well. With all those expectations, Cleveland came out and laid an egg in Week 1 as 5.5-point favorites against the Titans. Mayfield had a rough day, suffering a shoulder injury – but nothing serious – and was intercepted three times – all in the final 15 minutes. Beckham had seven catches for 71 yards in his Cleveland debut but didn’t find the end zone. The Browns committed 18 penalties for 182 yards under first-year coach Freddie Kitchens and left tackle Greg Robinson was ejected for kicking Titans safety Kenny Vaccaro. Cleveland actually trailed by only two in the waning minutes of the third quarter before surrendering 28 unanswered points to the Titans. Nick Chubb gained 75 yards on 17 carries.
Somehow the Jets managed to lose a game in which they forced four turnovers including a defensive score and a safety of Buffalo QB Josh Allen. Le’Veon Bell made his Jets debut with 92 yards from scrimmage, a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. Darnold threw for only 175 yards on 45 attempts, while kicker Kaare Vedvik missed a PAT and field-goal. Top linebacker C.J. Mosley, who had the defensive TD, left in the third quarter with a groin injury and has been ruled out for Monday.
This line went from 2.5 to 6.5 with the news that Siemian would be replacing Darnold, but I don’t really see that much of a difference between the two. Siemian at least has plenty of experience and does have a winning record as a starter (13-11). I don’t know why everyone was so high on the Browns this season – they looked like the same old Cleveland in Week 1. New York keeps it close.
NOTE: We are locked-in with 2.5 points over on our Week 2 Staff Selections, but I still liked the Jets before Darnold was ruled out.
Pick: Jets +7 -130 (buy the half-point)
Browns are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss.
Browns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss of more than 14 points.
Browns are 19-39-1 ATS in their last 59 games overall.
Browns are 5-12 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Browns are 13-33 ATS in their last 46 games following a straight up loss.
Browns are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game.
Browns are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 Monday games.
Browns are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Browns are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games on fieldturf.
Browns are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Jets are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. AFC.
Jets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss.
Jets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Jets are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Jets are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Jets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Jets are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Jets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in September.
Jets are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Jets are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Jets are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.
Under is 9-1 in Browns last 10 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Under is 5-1-1 in Browns last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 4-1-1 in Browns last 6 Monday games.
Over is 7-2 in Browns last 9 games on fieldturf.
Over is 6-2-1 in Browns last 9 vs. AFC.
Under is 19-7 in Browns last 26 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
Over is 8-3 in Browns last 11 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 5-2 in Browns last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 12-5 in Browns last 17 games in September.
Over is 5-0 in Jets last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 5-1 in Jets last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 6-2 in Jets last 8 home games.
Over is 7-3 in Jets last 10 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Favorite is 9-0 ATS in their last 9 meetings.
Browns are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
